VICTORIA – New Democrat house leader John Horgan introduced a private member’s bill Thursday to reform the legislature’s broken standing committee system.

The Standing Committee Reform Act would increase the number of committees, expand their mandates, set minimum standards for meeting, and have them report directly to the legislature.

“Standing committees have the ability to do important work, work which better informs the legislature while ensuring that British Columbians are being heard by their representatives,” said Horgan.

“For example The Select Standing Committee on Finance does excellent work,” said Horgan, “but there are standing committees that are struck every parliament and have not met for the better part of a decade.

“It’s inconceivable that at a time when our treaty process is stalled that the select standing committee on Aboriginal Relations hasn’t met since 2001.”

Horgan’s bill adds select standing committees on agriculture, arts and culture and forestry, in addition to the eight already constituted.

“This is about making our democracy better and more responsive,” said Horgan. “Giving the committees more meaningful work could have the added benefit of reducing the cynicism and apathy we often hear about our democratic process. I am hopeful the Liberals will give it their support so we can make the legislature work more effectively on behalf of British Columbians.”